Halifax: It’s Not Me, It’s You

This post has been brewing for quite some time now. I’ve been a very lazy blogger of late - posting YouTube clips does not a world class blog make.

(NB - Not that I’m labouring under the misapprehension that this is a world class blog you understand - but at least it’s better than some of the shitty blogs built by clueless dolts who think a boring corporate blog equals a cutting edge soshall meedya strategy.)

Having said that - this post will of course feature some YouTube clips - in order for me to illustrate my points. But there will also be some writing too. Mmmmm writing.

So, to the point. Or, erm points… Whatever.

I think the new Halifax ads are absolutely fucking gash, so I thought I’d write them a letter.

Dear Halifax,

You and I have been together since I was 5 when my Dad opened me up an account - I think the account was called the Little Xtra Club. You had some sort of Henry’s Cat rip off as your mascot. But I loved you then. You used to send me stickers and stuff.

Over the years your advertising has been kinda vanilla. In fact I remember nothing of your adverts at all before Howard, the bottle-top bespectacled wonder. To be honest I only thought the campaign was ok - but lots of other people loved it… He even appeared on an episode of the Office (which is the best bloody show in the world, ever).

Now I understand that all advertising campaigns must come to an end, as such poor Howard went the way of the gold blend coffee couple.

But seriously, I’m wondering what in the name of arse you were thinking with your new creative.

Lemme break it down for you.

You expect us, the viewers to believe that you’ve some sort of radio station, somewhere in your ivory tower. A radio station seemingly staffed entirely by ex-cashiers and the like. None of them are very good at being radio DJ wotsits. In fact they suck really hard. Which I’m guessing is where the humour is supposed to come in. Trouble is, it isn’t funny.  Not any of it. It’s just bloody embarrassing.

And there’s more:

And more:

And there’s even more… but I can’t seem to find them on YouTube and it was depressing me so I stopped looking.

I’m kinda at the end of my tether here Halifax. To date I’ve given you about all a girl can give. My current account; various savings accounts; a credit card and of course my mortgage is with you.

I’m not saying you have to bring back Howard, but seriously; unless you can come up with an advertising campaign which doesn’t make me embarrassed to bank with you I’m going to start seeing other financial institutions.

It’s not me, it’s you… I just don’t feel like you understand me any more.

Love,

Hannah

xxx

PS I don’t want to pay for a current account. Particularly not when it doesn’t even come with stickers.